From Power Over to Power With: The PARTNER Tool for Transformation in Participatory Health Research

Power is a pervasive and often underexamined force that shapes all aspects of participatory health research (PHR); however, translating theoretical understandings of power into practical strategies remains a challenge. This commentary critically examines the complexities of power in PHR, highlighting both its constraints and its potential as a transformative force in equity-driven research. The discussion is grounded in selective foundational theories of power, which provide the theoretical basis for understanding power in PHR. Building on these perspectives, expressions of power-Power Over, Power To, Power With, Power Within, and Power Through, serve as analytical lenses to identify and assess where power operates and how it can be navigated. To bridge the gap between theoretical discourse and actionable practice, the Power Assessment Reflexivity Tool for Navigating Equality in Research (PARTNER) is introduced as a heuristic. PARTNER, informed by lived and living experience co-researchers, is a tool designed to make the complexities of power more navigable, offering prompts to guide PHR teams in fostering equity and justice within their work. By recognizing power as both a barrier and a possibility, this commentary underscores the importance of moving beyond performative and abstract discussions of power. It offers a practical entry point for research teams committed to addressing power in ways that are impactful, substantive, and aligned with systemic change.